Why Vitali Klitschko is Great

[AntonioMartin]

Klitschko on the other hand was the best of his era and made a few successful defenses of his titles..I mean, sure, he lost to Byrd and all but he was way ahead on points and lost due to a freak injury..His accomplishments have to count for something at least. This topic to me is like the abortion topic, where "between "it's the woman's choice" and "the baby has the right to life" Im on the fence...(BTW not to get off topic too much but I tend to favor baby rights with adoption option)

The thing is, his title reign was as if it was some minor belt. It's like with Ernie Terrell, who was belt-holding, while Ali was the man. Or like with the 80s ABC-champs, who were belt-holding, while Holmes was the man. Or like with Wilder, who was belt-holding against cherries, while Joshua was fighting the top guys. Vitali was belt-holding, while Wlad was the man.

That is true...

[Onetimeonly]

Not quite..Ingemar Johannsson, Sylvester Stallone, JJ Braddock, even my buddy Tony DeMarco are arguably less deserving IMO. (Don't tell Tony I said that!)

Stallone is much more deserving than Leroy nieman as a non participant. The others are more worthy than vitali as fighters.

I'll tell you what..I dont know if it was Tony himself or another buddy we had in common but one day I got a call from Boston and someone of their group told me there was a movement to put Tony in the IBHOF..now I love Tony DeMarco the human and the boxer, but I respectfully kept silent...

Klitschko on the other hand was the best of his era and made a few successful defenses of his titles..I mean, sure, he lost to Byrd and all but he was way ahead on points and lost due to a freak injury..His accomplishments have to count for something at least. This topic to me is like the abortion topic, where "between "it's the woman's choice" and "the baby has the right to life" Im on the fence...(BTW not to get off topic too much but I tend to favor baby rights with adoption option)

Vitali was never the best for a second and he defended against nobody of note. His resume should be aborted from the hof. Disgraceful.

[gilgamesh]

Stallone is much more deserving than Leroy nieman as a non participant. The others are more worthy than vitali as fighters.

I'll tell you what..I dont know if it was Tony himself or another buddy we had in common but one day I got a call from Boston and someone of their group told me there was a movement to put Tony in the IBHOF..now I love Tony DeMarco the human and the boxer, but I respectfully kept silent...

Klitschko on the other hand was the best of his era and made a few successful defenses of his titles..I mean, sure, he lost to Byrd and all but he was way ahead on points and lost due to a freak injury..His accomplishments have to count for something at least. This topic to me is like the abortion topic, where "between "it's the woman's choice" and "the baby has the right to life" Im on the fence...(BTW not to get off topic too much but I tend to favor baby rights with adoption option)

Vitali was never the best for a second and he defended against nobody of note. His resume should be aborted from the hof. Disgraceful.

I mean technically he was the #1 guy for like 8 months in 2004, but...yeah.

[pound per pound]

He's not. He was just very good.

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

[DrDuke]

He's not. He was just very good.

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

Cause he was an appendage to Wlad, with whom he shared the throne of the Klitschko era, but in reality he took the less threatening part of the contenders of that era, while Wlad was dealing with the best.

There were other competitors, who aren't recognized as great, but could be a tough night for any heavyweight champion. The likes of Ibeabuchi and Mavrovic, for instance. And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

[AntonioMartin]

He's not. He was just very good.

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

[DrDuke]

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

Well, I said it a bit incorrect. Overall resume is better for Vitali. But Ike's wins are better. Again, Vitali has a much bigger amount of decent names defeated, while his best scalps are Sanders and Peter. Ike has only two decent scalps, Tua and Byrd, but those are bigger than any other scalps of Vitali.

[Onetimeonly]

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

With all the delusional vit fans around here, I don't think one has ever stooped to bringing up sosnowski.

[AntonioMartin]

And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

With all the delusional vit fans around here, I don't think one has ever stooped to bringing up sosnowski.

TBH I am a big fan of every boxer in history who has been a world champion, whether it be men, women, IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, lineal or unified. It doesn;t matter to me if they are Klitschko, Mayweather, Pacquiao, Marcela Acuna, Serrano, Gomez, Sanchez, Attell, Ali, Frazier, Terrell, Walker, Pavlik, Mancini, Bruno, Servo, whatever. As a fellow boxer (I had two amateur fights back in the day in Caguas , Puerto Rico very obscure, you wouldnt even find them here) they reached a level that I did not.

The thing is Klitschko and his brother Vladimir were the best for a very long time, in Vitaly's case arguably from the time Lennox retired until about 2011, the quality of their opposition or lack of thereafter not withstanding. Take Joe Louis, for example, one the greatest Heavyweight champions of all time, yet his resume is littered with names many people do not remember along with the all time greats he fought but no one brings him into question. You can only fight what is fighting during your time and Vitaly fought almost everyone except Ike, Holyfield and a faded Tyson. Ike might have given him problems but i think with his reach and chin he has a good chance with Evander and an exceptional chance against a faded Tyson.

[Onetimeonly]

It's time people stop letting vitali piggyback on his much more accomplished brother. There is no case, one has never been as poorly constructed as yours.

Vitali didn't fight any of them. Except for Lewis and Byrd.

[DrDuke]

Wladimir was great. The was the man in the division for a decade and defeated the best opposition possible at that time. Wladimir is comparable with the greats like Joe Loius, Larry Holmes and so on.

Vitali was good, but not great. He was a belt-holder of the Wladimir's era and defeated the least part of the comers of that time. He is comparable with the likes of Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, etc, etc, etc. There were many of such like Vitali, but they majorly get forgotten and not considered as great.

Vitali was just in a specific situation, where he was at the top along with his brother. Obviously they wouldn't fight each other and it happened so that Wladimir collected the majority of the belts, became the man and faced the very best, while Vitali took only one belt and the lesser part of the available quality opposition.

[vitalyjohnson]

Wladimir was great. The was the man in the division for a decade and defeated the best opposition possible at that time. Wladimir is comparable with the greats like Joe Loius, Larry Holmes and so on.

Vitali was good, but not great. He was a belt-holder of the Wladimir's era and defeated the least part of the comers of that time. He is comparable with the likes of Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, etc, etc, etc. There were many of such like Vitali, but they majorly get forgotten and not considered as great.

Vitali was just in a specific situation, where he was at the top along with his brother. Obviously they wouldn't fight each other and it happened so that Wladimir collected the majority of the belts, became the man and faced the very best, while Vitali took only one belt and the lesser part of the available quality opposition.

Vitaly Klitchko is better than John Ruiz and Chris Byrd or any of the guys you listed.

[gilgamesh]

Wladimir was great. The was the man in the division for a decade and defeated the best opposition possible at that time. Wladimir is comparable with the greats like Joe Loius, Larry Holmes and so on.

Vitali was good, but not great. He was a belt-holder of the Wladimir's era and defeated the least part of the comers of that time. He is comparable with the likes of Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, etc, etc, etc. There were many of such like Vitali, but they majorly get forgotten and not considered as great.

Vitali was just in a specific situation, where he was at the top along with his brother. Obviously they wouldn't fight each other and it happened so that Wladimir collected the majority of the belts, became the man and faced the very best, while Vitali took only one belt and the lesser part of the available quality opposition.

Vitaly Klitchko is better than John Ruiz and Chris Byrd or any of the guys you listed.

Ruiz yes, Byrd, I don't know.

[DrDuke]

Wladimir was great. The was the man in the division for a decade and defeated the best opposition possible at that time. Wladimir is comparable with the greats like Joe Loius, Larry Holmes and so on.

Vitali was good, but not great. He was a belt-holder of the Wladimir's era and defeated the least part of the comers of that time. He is comparable with the likes of Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, etc, etc, etc. There were many of such like Vitali, but they majorly get forgotten and not considered as great.

Vitali was just in a specific situation, where he was at the top along with his brother. Obviously they wouldn't fight each other and it happened so that Wladimir collected the majority of the belts, became the man and faced the very best, while Vitali took only one belt and the lesser part of the available quality opposition.

Vitaly Klitchko is better than John Ruiz and Chris Byrd or any of the guys you listed.

Vitali would whoop Ruiz and he was whooping Byrd, but on the paper their achievements are in the same spot, whereas Ruiz and Byrd even got better names as their scalps.

[vitalyjohnson]

Wladimir was great. The was the man in the division for a decade and defeated the best opposition possible at that time. Wladimir is comparable with the greats like Joe Loius, Larry Holmes and so on.

Vitali was good, but not great. He was a belt-holder of the Wladimir's era and defeated the least part of the comers of that time. He is comparable with the likes of Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, etc, etc, etc. There were many of such like Vitali, but they majorly get forgotten and not considered as great.

Vitali was just in a specific situation, where he was at the top along with his brother. Obviously they wouldn't fight each other and it happened so that Wladimir collected the majority of the belts, became the man and faced the very best, while Vitali took only one belt and the lesser part of the available quality opposition.

Vitaly Klitchko is better than John Ruiz and Chris Byrd or any of the guys you listed.

Vitali would whoop Ruiz and he was whooping Byrd, but on the paper their achievements are in the same spot, whereas Ruiz and Byrd even got better names as their scalps.

Like Andrew Golota, Vitali got screwed against Byrd. Golota beat Ruuz too!

Kcuf American judges.

[Ambling Alp II]

Actually, Dempsey and Jeffries fought most of the top guys from their eras. Jeffries fought a draw with and beat Choynski, Sharkey (2x), Fitzsimmons (2x), Corbett (2x), and Ruhlin (2x). Sure he could have fought others but it dwarfs what Klitschko did.

Take a look at who Dempsey beat before he even fought for the title: Fulton, Morris, Miske, Brennan. Beat Willard, and Firpo. Should have fought Wills, but he certainly beat several serious contenders.

Corrie Sanders was a fringe contender at best. He was not highly regarded at all. Only thing he has is the KO over Glassjaw.
Samuel Peter is really the best Klitschko ever beat? wow.

You can nitpick anyone. You have to grasp at straws for anything that Klitschko did.

With all due respect to Dempsey I don't think the likes of Morris, Fulton, Firpo were very good. I'm not sure I would pick them over the likes of Larry Donald H2H

The three best of Dempsey's era were Wills, Greb, and Tunney in my opinion. He didn't fight two of them and Tunney beat him twice

If he would have fought Greb, you (and many others) would have looked at Greb's weight and gave Dempsey zero credit. If we are throwing size out the window, then give Dempsey credit for beating Gibbons, Carpentier, and Levinsky. Miske was a very good fighter; is even in the HOF which people like to use when it suits their argument. Morris was big, which automatically makes him good. Same with Willard.
Bottom line is that Dempsey beat most of the best of his era. As did Jeffries. Klitschko did not.

[vitalyjohnson]

Actually, Dempsey and Jeffries fought most of the top guys from their eras. Jeffries fought a draw with and beat Choynski, Sharkey (2x), Fitzsimmons (2x), Corbett (2x), and Ruhlin (2x). Sure he could have fought others but it dwarfs what Klitschko did.

Take a look at who Dempsey beat before he even fought for the title: Fulton, Morris, Miske, Brennan. Beat Willard, and Firpo. Should have fought Wills, but he certainly beat several serious contenders.

Corrie Sanders was a fringe contender at best. He was not highly regarded at all. Only thing he has is the KO over Glassjaw.
Samuel Peter is really the best Klitschko ever beat? wow.

You can nitpick anyone. You have to grasp at straws for anything that Klitschko did.

With all due respect to Dempsey I don't think the likes of Morris, Fulton, Firpo were very good. I'm not sure I would pick them over the likes of Larry Donald H2H

The three best of Dempsey's era were Wills, Greb, and Tunney in my opinion. He didn't fight two of them and Tunney beat him twice

If he would have fought Greb, you (and many others) would have looked at Greb's weight and gave Dempsey zero credit. If we are throwing size out the window, then give Dempsey credit for beating Gibbons, Carpentier, and Levinsky. Miske was a very good fighter; is even in the HOF which people like to use when it suits their argument. Morris was big, which automatically makes him good. Same with Willard.
Bottom line is that Dempsey beat most of the best of his era. As did Jeffries. Klitschko did not.

Klitschko held the WBC Belt for 5 years and 9 title defenses. He didn't fight the best of his era?

Why did the WBC allow him to do that? They are not interested in the veracity of their title?

[vitalyjohnson]

Vitali and Wlad fought the same level of competition and you could say Vitali had a better record.

Vitali's only loss was a doctor's stoppage to Lennox Lewis.

Vs Byrd he was winning and had to quit due to a torn rotator cuff.

Common opponents Vitali looks good.

He held WBC belt 2004-2005. 2008-2012. He was retired in between.

What's the problem? If Vitaly isn't good then Wlad isn't good?

No good heavies after Lewis?

[pound per pound]

And Ibeabuchi's resume is even better than Vitali's one.

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

With all the delusional vit fans around here, I don't think one has ever stooped to bringing up sosnowski.

As bad as that defense was, is he's any worse than an ancient Pulev, and the no-name Fury if fight next? Unlike these two, Vitlai fought many ranked opponent in the top ten, here at Box Rec and in Ring Magazine.

[vitalyjohnson]

Not really...the only names on it are David Tua and Chris Byrd.

Whereas klitschko fought Byrd, Herbie Hide, Shannon Briggs, Albert Sowsnowski, Chris Arreola, Corrie Sanders, Sam Peters, the 44-1 Cruiserweight Thomas Amadek who yes was a Cruiserweight but was 44-1..remember Michael Spinks was from a smaller division when he beat Larry Holmes-though obviously Adamek was no M. Spinks of course, and Lennox Lewis.

And Klitschko was also leading Lewis on the scorecards before he was stopped by an injury also. his two losses both came due to some type of injury...

With all the delusional vit fans around here, I don't think one has ever stooped to bringing up sosnowski.

As bad as that defense was, is he's any worse than an ancient Pulev, and the no-name Fury if fight next? Unlike these two, Vitlai fought many ranked opponent in the top ten, here at Box Rec and in Ring Magazine.

Vitlai is damn good. They just don't want to give him credit.

Vitali is every bit as good as Wladimir. Vitali held the WBC belt for 5 years and was never beaten as champion.

Vitali and Wlad were the towers in the 2000s just like Lennox was before that.

Vitali is being remembered as a great champ, just as he deserves.

[oogiebe]

With all the delusional vit fans around here, I don't think one has ever stooped to bringing up sosnowski.

As bad as that defense was, is he's any worse than an ancient Pulev, and the no-name Fury if fight next? Unlike these two, Vitlai fought many ranked opponent in the top ten, here at Box Rec and in Ring Magazine.

Vitlai is damn good. They just don't want to give him credit.

Vitali is every bit as good as Wladimir. Vitali held the WBC belt for 5 years and was never beaten as champion.

Vitali and Wlad were the towers in the 2000s just like Lennox was before that.

Vitali is being remembered as a great champ, just as he deserves.

Vitaly Johnson?

[vitalyjohnson]

As bad as that defense was, is he's any worse than an ancient Pulev, and the no-name Fury if fight next? Unlike these two, Vitlai fought many ranked opponent in the top ten, here at Box Rec and in Ring Magazine.

Vitlai is damn good. They just don't want to give him credit.

Vitali is every bit as good as Wladimir. Vitali held the WBC belt for 5 years and was never beaten as champion.

Vitali and Wlad were the towers in the 2000s just like Lennox was before that.

Vitali is being remembered as a great champ, just as he deserves.

Vitaly Johnson?

it's my first name. Better than yours, buddy.

[oogiebe]

Vitlai is damn good. They just don't want to give him credit.

Vitali is every bit as good as Wladimir. Vitali held the WBC belt for 5 years and was never beaten as champion.

Vitali and Wlad were the towers in the 2000s just like Lennox was before that.

Vitali is being remembered as a great champ, just as he deserves.

Vitaly Johnson?

it's my first name. Better than yours, buddy.

oooo...that hurt...

[vitalyjohnson]

He's not. He was just very good.

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

You got it.

Vitali Klitschko had an outstanding career. Held the WBC belt while his brother had the other two. Fought the same level of competition as Wlad.

WBC Champ 5 years
9 title defenses
45-2 41 KOs
Never down
Dominated fights, won almost every round on score cards
Was ahead on cards for two losses
Both losses stoppage due to injury
Fought highest level of competition
Boxing HOF

[DrDuke]

He's not. He was just very good.

He was a dominant champion who made the hall of fame in his first year of eligibility and lead his class with the most votes. What more can you ask for? A great for sure and one that would be a tough night for any heavyweight champion

You got it.

Vitali Klitschko had an outstanding career. Held the WBC belt while his brother had the other two. Fought the same level of competition as Wlad.

WBC Champ 5 years
9 title defenses
45-2 41 KOs
Never down
Dominated fights, won almost every round on score cards
Was ahead on cards for two losses
Both losses stoppage due to injury
Fought highest level of competition
Boxing HOF

Also he inspired a one guy to create 4 accounts on this forum and to praise him there.